Christie’s confirmed today its commitment to more sustainable operations, pledging to be net zero by 2030. The company is committing to a 50% reduction in its carbon emissions, achieving 90% diversion from landfill for its waste and providing all clients with packaging and printed material that is 100% recyclable. Christie’s is setting its carbon reduction goals aligned to the needs of climate science, and has committed to the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) to help achieve the 1.5°C warming trajectory required to avoid dangerous climate change. Christie’s is the first auction house to apply for this accreditation which promotes best practice and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets in line with strict criteria.
Tom Woolston, Global Head of Operations and leading Christie’s Sustainability program, said: “From now on, the lens of sustainability must inform all of our activities. We understand that making good on these commitments will require a shift in culture and recognise that there is much to be done to adapt across the business.”
COMMIT: Carbon Reduction
In order to achieve the targets, Christie’s is addressing four key areas which make the most significant contribution to our emissions:
- Shipping and Logistics – we will optimise logistics to better utilise lower carbon modes of transport and be more selective in touring property for exhibitions, leveraging the use of digital tools to bridge the gap
- Business Travel – the pandemic has shown us what can be done without the ability to travel and we have become effective in finding new ways to communicate with each other and our clients and partners
- The Energy, Waste and Water from our Buildings – the company has already switched to renewable energy in the London headquarters
- Printed Materials – work has begun with a 75% reduction in print materials during 2020, exceeding the commitment announced in 2019
We took the opportunity last year to reflect on our business operation and drove innovation and efficiencies around our new live sale format and digital innovation. This accelerated digital transformation has moved the business forward and enhanced digital capabilities will continue to underpin a more sustainable culture. By improving and expanding the digital client experience, the environmental impact of enjoying art and luxury goods can be dramatically reduced.
COMMUNICATE: Pledge to be Transparent & Share Learnings
Working with leading sustainability consultants Avieco, Christie’s has completed a review of all operational activities and measured its current global emissions (available online). The
company is committing to annual reporting of future emissions and its progress towards targets, the first of which will be published later this year, to ensure transparency.
Christie’s Principle Emissions
tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions
COLLABORATE: Systemic Challenges Require Collective Action
Christie’s will take a collaborative approach with suppliers and other stakeholders to work to reduce the collective environmental footprint up and down the supply chain. “We know the broader art industry shares the desire to combat climate change, and we promise to use our leadership position to drive positive change, actively looking to form collaborations with stakeholders across the art world and beyond,” concluded Mr. Woolston.
Christie’s has joined the Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC) a non-profit organisation founded by a voluntary group of London-based gallerists and professionals. Their aim is to help the art world reduce its impact on the climate and to develop a meaningful and industry-specific response to the growing climate crisis.
The company will also continue to support climate-focused philanthropic activities. Recent collaborations have included ‘The David Gilmour Collection’ (June 2019), where proceeds were designated to ClientEarth and the sale of Jonah Wood’s ‘Japanese Garden 3’ (May 2019) which benefitted Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC) and Rainforest Trust. In November 2020, as part of our Middle Eastern art sales, Christie’s presented Matters of Material, a curated auction exploring how artists make use of materials to explore issues including sustainability.
Photo:
Joris Laarman
An Important ‘Bone Chair’
Sold for £707,250
The design copying nature’s most efficient use of materials while retaining structure
Masterpieces of Design and Photography, London, 6 March 2019